Ex-assistant returns to Southern Alamance as football coach

Fritz Hessenthaler, a former assistant coach for Southern Alamance’s football program, is returning as the head coach.

This week’s hiring brings the ex-Southeast Guilford coach back to Southern Alamance.

“This is a great opportunity to be in the community again as a football coach,” Hessenthaler said Wednesday. “Just very excited about it. Once you get used to running a program, it’s in your blood. I’m very fortunate that Southern Alamance is giving me this opportunity.”

Hessenthaler spent 14 seasons in charge at Southeast Guilford, much of that time as a conference rival of Southern Alamance. Those schools remain together as Mid-Piedmont Conference members in the current conference alignment.

Hessenthaler was dismissed as Southeast Guilford’s coach following the 2016 season. His record was 100-72, making him the winningest coach in school history.

Before that, he spent six seasons at Southern Alamance — two as a volunteer, four as an assistant coach and teacher. He oversaw the linemen and special teams.

“Hopefully, we can get up and rolling pretty quick,” he said.

Southern Alamance athletics director Jon Russell said the process took about 2½ months to settle on a replacement for Andrew Carrouth, who resigned in November at the conclusion of his fifth season in charge of the program at his alma mater.

Carrouth had taken the Southern Alamance job after serving on Hessenthaler’s staff at Southeast Guilford. He also played when Hessenthaler was on the Southern Alamance staff.

Hessenthaler, 47, said he has resided in Alamance County since 1985. He lives near Liberty with his wife and three daughters (one in college).

“He’s a community person,” Russell said. “It’s going to be a good fit.”

Hessenthaler is a teacher at Providence Grove, where he was a 2017 assistant coach (offensive and defensive line coach and oversaw special teams) and led the strength and conditioning program.

He said he’ll take a teaching position for the 2018-19 school year at Southern Alamance in social studies and weight training.

Hessenthaler, who was a college player in North Carolina’s football program, is a 1993 North Carolina graduate. He later received a master’s degree from UNC Greensboro.

Hessenthaler, who’s entering his 22nd year in coaching, said he’s familiar with many of the Southern Alamance staff members and faculty because of his previous time at the school.

Southern Alamance went 21-35 under Carrouth. The 2017 team was 5-6 in its first year back in Class 3-A after eight years in Class 4-A.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.